Emergencies / First Aid for Dogs and Cats - General Information
A veterinary guide on causes, symptoms, and first aid
What is an emergency?
An emergency in dogs or cats occurs when vital functions such as breathing or circulation are acutely disturbed and immediate veterinary help is necessary.
Which symptoms are always an immediate/emergency?
- Respiratory distress, cyanosis (bluish mucous membranes), collapse-like conditions, persistent convulsions
- Severe Bleeding, major trauma, open fracture, severe Pain
- Severe Abdominal pain (acute abdomen), Abdominal tenderness
- Suspicion of gastric torsion (Abdominal distension, Gagging without Vomiting)
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Loss of consciousness, fainting (syncope)
- Urinary retention (anuria), difficulty urinating (dysuria, stranguria)
- Difficult birth (dystocia), green-black discharge without a puppy, > 2 h of pushing without progress
- Poisoning (xylitol, rat poison, high-dose chocolate, grapes, etc.)
- Eye Emergencies (sudden (peracute) Blindness, deep corneal ulcer (corneal ulcer), glaucoma attack (increased intraocular pressure), chemical burn, injury)
- Heatstroke, hypothermia, high Fever
- Anaphylactic reaction (severe allergic reaction)
- Severe Vomiting
You can find information on all symptoms using our various search functions (magnifying glass, search field input for diseases, Emergencies and symptoms, or the A-Z search for dogs and cats).
Classification of treatment urgency? Triage categories
For better care, diseases are assigned to triage categories based on their urgency for treatment. Triage systems are reliable methods for nurses to assess the severity of illness in emergency patients.
We distinguish between
Immediate/Emergency – means that immediate veterinary care is necessary (minutes – hours), otherwise the animal could die.
Urgent < – 24 h Veterinary care – means that a veterinary examination is necessary within 24 hours to prevent deterioration.
Timely – 1–3 days – means not an emergency, but timely veterinary care within one to three days is recommended.
Observation – means observation at home is sufficient, an appointment can wait a few days, home measures are possible.
If you are unsure, present your animal to a vet.
Emergency and First Aid – what can you find here?
You can also find an overview of Emergencies and first aid in our detailed specialist article:
Would you like information on emergencies and first aid in black and white, a bit more detailed, and always at hand?
No problem! The book Emergencies from A-Z in Dogs and Cats has now been published in its 2nd edition by Kynos-Verlag.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- When is there an emergency in a dog or cat?
An emergency exists when vital functions such as breathing, circulation, or consciousness are acutely disturbed.
2. Which symptoms are always considered a veterinary emergency?
Respiratory distress, loss of consciousness, Convulsions, severe Bleeding, acute collapse, pale or bluish mucous membranes, severe injuries and any suspicion of poisoning are always considered an emergency.
3. What should I do first in an emergency?
Stay calm, secure the animal and recognize life-threatening symptoms. Initiate first aid measures immediately and, at the same time, contact a veterinary practice or veterinary hospital without delay.
4. Are poisonings in dogs and cats always an emergency?
Yes, any suspected poisoning is considered an emergency. Many poisons have a delayed effect and only cause symptoms or life-threatening damage hours later.
5. What to do if my dog has eaten chocolate or xylitol?
Record the amount, time, and weight of the dog and contact the emergency service.
6. What should I never do in an emergency?
Do not induce Vomiting, do not give home remedies or human medications. Do not feed or water the animal.
7. Can I cause damage with first aid measures?
When applied correctly, first aid is useful. In an emergency, doing nothing is usually more dangerous than simple, appropriate measures.
8. When is rapid breathing or Panting in a dog an emergency?
Respiratory distress is always an emergency, especially with Panting at rest, wheezing, or bluish mucous membranes. Keep the dog calm and avoid heat and stress.
9. What should be done in the event of respiratory distress or Respiratory arrest?
Check airways, remove visible foreign bodies if safely possible. In case of Respiratory arrest, immediately initiate first aid measures and seek veterinary help without delay.
10. What does Cardiovascular collapse or shock mean in dogs and cats?
A Cardiovascular collapse or shock is an acute undersupply of vital organs with blood and oxygen. It is always an emergency.
11. My dog has collapsed – what should I do immediately?
Check breathing and consciousness and place the dog in Lying on side on a stable surface. Keep it warm and transport it quickly, without much movement, to the emergency service.
12. What to do if my dog has a Convulsions?
Secure the surroundings, keep a distance from the mouth, and measure the duration. Do not touch or restrain the dog. If it lasts longer than 5 minutes or multiple seizures occur: immediately call emergency services.
13. How do I recognize gastric torsion in a dog?
Typical signs are a sudden bloated, hard abdomen, Restlessness and Gagging without Vomiting, excessive salivation, and a rapid deterioration of circulation. Immediately go to the emergency service.
14. How do I stop severe Bleeding in a dog correctly?
Press a compress or a clean cloth firmly onto the Wounds. If it bleeds through, place additional layers on top without removing the underlying ones, and maintain pressure for a longer period. Immediately call emergency services.
15. When is Vomiting in a dog an emergency?
An emergency exists in the event of frequent Vomiting, blood in the vomit, severe fatigue or if no water stays in. Puppies, small and old dogs are particularly at risk.
16. When is Diarrhea dangerous in a dog?
It becomes dangerous if there is blood in the stool, black stool, simultaneous Vomiting, Fever or significant weakness. Puppies in particular can dehydrate quickly and must be treated early. If the Diarrhea lasts longer than 24–48 hours: have it examined by a veterinarian.
17. What to do in case of Heatstroke in a dog?
Take the dog to the shade immediately and cool it down in a controlled manner with water and draft. Do not use ice-cold water and stop cooling if it shivers. A Heatstroke is life-threatening: call the emergency service immediately.
18. What to do after a dog bite or accident?
Secure the dog and move it as little as possible, especially if there is Pain or suspected injuries. Cover Wounds cleanly and keep the dog warm. Even small bite Wounds can be deep: have them treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Preparation for Emergencies: Checklists
Important Phone Numbers
Keep a note with the numbers in your first aid kit and also save them on your mobile phone
- Family Veterinarian
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Name __________________________
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Address ___________________________________________________________
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Phone Number __________________________
- Nearest Veterinarian
-
Name __________________________
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Address ___________________________________________________________
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Phone Number __________________________
- Nearest veterinary hospital
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Name __________________________
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Address ___________________________________________________________
-
Phone Number __________________________
- Taxis that transport animals
Phone Number __________________________
- Local animal welfare organization, if a stray or wild animal is found injured
Phone Number __________________________
- Police, if a stray animal is hit by a car
- Phone number
In case of a serious emergency it is helpful to inform your veterinarian by phone (no email, no SMS) before you arrive. Then preparations can possibly already be made.
You should be able to answer these questions if possible:
- What kind of emergency is it?
- When did the emergency occur?
- Is the animal responsive?
- What has been done so far?
- What do the mucous membranes look like?
- If possible, what are the values for body temperature (BT), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and capillary refill time (CRT)?
What is “normal” and how are these values measured in dogs and cats?
You can find it here: Normal values.